This watchdog blog, by journalist Norman Oder, offers analysis, commentary, and reportage about the $4.9 billion project to build the Barclays Center arena and 16 high-rise buildings at a crucial site in Brooklyn. Dubbed Atlantic Yards by developer Forest City Ratner in 2003, it was rebranded Pacific Park in 2014 after the Chinese government-owned Greenland Group bought a 70% stake in 15 towers. New York State still calls it Atlantic Yards. Contact: AtlanticYardsReport[at]hotmail.com

Description: The massive arena-plus-skyscrapers complex planned for a key Brooklyn crossroads spawned controversy, protests, and lawsuits since it was announced in 2003. Why? Little things like eminent domain, encroachment on a residential neighborhood, and major efforts to manipulate the public. The details may seem dry, but once you pull back the cover, the story behind the Barclays Center, and the rest of Atlantic Yards, becomes as noir as the film Chinatown. (Well, almost — no murders.)

Bio: Veteran journalist Norman Oder has, for more than six years, written the daily Atlantic Yards Report blog, which Malcolm Gladwell called “brilliantly obsessive.” He’s contributed to numerous publications and appeared on Brian Lehrer’s TV show (but not Brian’s radio show). Norman also runs a walking tour company, New York Like A Native, and even leads an Atlantic Yards tour.

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